Julia G. Levy

Twinstrand Therapeutics Inc. manufactures and distributes biological drugs. It focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing of therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, hepatitis A, cytomegalovirus, malaria, schistosomiasis, and fungal diseases. The company was founded in 1995 and is located in North Vancouver, Canada.

Valocor Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, privately-held company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for major unmet needs in dermatology. The company's portfolio of dermatology therapeutics includes Lemuteporfin, a potent and selective topical photodynamic therapy for moderate to severe acne and a portfolio of novel, topical small molecule therapeutics targeting acne, sebaceous gland hyperactivity, skin pigmentation disorders and inflammatory skin diseases. Valocor Therapeutics is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Although many common yet serious skin conditions have unsatisfactory treatment options, dermatology has in recent years attracted limited research resources and investment. As a result, a sparse pipeline and a lack of true scientific innovation have been the dominant themes of this field for the last twenty years. During this same period, technological advances have produced new research techniques that have greatly expanded its ability to study disease processes and establish new effective therapeutic strategies. Much of this innovative research has been applied to the fields such as oncology, autoimmunity, and ocular diseases. Valocor is applying current biotechnology techniques to develop breakthrough therapies for major dermatological diseases, where prevalent conditions, minimal competition and important medical needs exist.

viDA Therapeutics, Inc. operates as a biotechnology company. It offers discovery, development and commercialization of novel and targeted therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory and age related diseases. The firm's discovery platform is based on novel research regarding a distinctly different and recently identified, extracellular role for granzymes in the destruction and inflammation of tissues. The company was founded by Alistair Duncan Jr. and David Granville in 2008 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Working Opportunity Fund (EVCC) Ltd seeks investment opportunities in companies located in British Columbia (Canada). The fund targets companies operating in the fields of information technology, life sciences, and clean technologies. It provides financing for early and later stage capital requirements.

ImStar Therapeutics, Inc. develops therapies for ALS and neurodegenerative disease. The firm's lead drug candidate is IMS-088, a small-molecule compound currently in preclinical development. It is studying compounds directed at a proprietary new therapeutic target for ALS called TANA. The company was founded by Daniel J. Wattier and Jean-Pierre Julien in 2012 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Phoenix Molecular Designs operates as a biopharmaceutical company. It focuses on developing first-in-class inhibitors against ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), an important drug target for cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The company was founded by Sandra Dunn in 2012 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Qu Biologics, Inc. develops site specific immunomodulators that aim to restore the body's innate immune system to treat cancer. The firm specializes in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, arthritis, cancer, autoimmune diseases, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, Site Specific Immunomodulators, immunotherapies, investigational drug, auto-immune, pharmaceuticals, research, inflammation, biotech and clinical trials. The company was founded by Harold David Gunn and Rob Freeman in 2007 and is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada.

Genizon Biosciences Inc. discovers genes and biomarkers in common diseases using genome wide association studies (GWAS), leveraging its proven and proprietary technology platform and access to patients from the Quebec Founder Population. Genizon has one of the largest GWAS programs worldwide, addressing many common diseases and traits. Several of these have been successfully completed, generating comprehensive maps of interacting genes, biomarkers and biological disease pathways (known as GeneMaps), providing strong validation of the power of the Company's discovery platform. Genizon has out-licensed some of the therapeutic and diagnostic rights to GeneMaps for Crohn's disease (to Genentech) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, endometriosis and Alzheimer's disease (disease-state diagnostic rights to Pfizer). GeneMaps have also been generated from GWAS in schizophrenia, psoriasis and longevity. GWAS are in progress for rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and coronary heart disease and its precursors, obesity, type II diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension (collectively metabolic syndrome). Genizon's technology platform and discoveries can complement current R&D programs by using human genetics to significantly enhance research and by adding value at multiple stages of the drug development process. Genizon is continually developing and enhancing its gene and biomarker discovery platform. For example, the company is assessing the role of copy number variations (CNVs) in diseases- applying new methods to ongoing large-scale GWAS in rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic syndrome, and retrospectively to previous studies. Genizon also leverages its platform and expertise by offering high throughput, high quality SNP genotyping, statistical genetics, gene expression and pharmacogenomics services to academic institutions, research organizations and the biopharmaceutical industry.